Important Factors to Consider When Selecting a Rackmount LCD Monitor

by iTech Company

Rackmount monitors are commonly used in a lot of applications especially in server rooms. These devices are designed to be mounted on racks, can be folded down and can become a sliding mounted tray. Such solutions not only save space, but they also make for very easy access. With the rack design, your equipment is being kept off the floor and provide a safe way to store critical business components. When selecting a rackmount monitor for whatever application it may serve, try to consider the following factors:

LCD panel size

Choosing which panel size best suits your application is also an important factor. The popular option is a 17-inch LCD monitor with a PS2 and USB interface. It may also come along with a trackball or a touchpad for mouse functions. When being folded and goes back into the tray, it has a 1U rack space or 1.75 inches high.

Type of mounting rails of your server rack

Take note that different server racks have different mounting rails. While modern racks have universal M6 rails for cage nuts (square holes), older racks have round holes which may require very specific mounting equipment. The older mounting rails are typically tapped (threaded) for either a 10-32 or 12-24 screw. Thus, make sure to verify that the selected rackmount monitor will mount correctly in your server rack. Also bear in mind that rackmount monitor drawers are not suited for use in 2-post relay racks.

KVM support

Several rackmount LCD monitors nowadays gives you the option of an integrated KVM (that is, keyboard, video, and mouse). With a KVM switch, you can multiple computers to share common peripherals including computer's keyboard, mouse and display or monitor. The main advantage of this is it saves you a lot of space. It also comes in various shapes, sizes and connection types it supports. Usually, KVM switches are described by its type and port numbers available.

Independent sliding drawers

A dual sliding monitor drawer/keyboard combo is what you may need if you are monitoring at the rack while the doors are closed is a concern. With dual slide drawers, you can have the keyboard to be stored while the monitor remains up. Such dual slide units combine the visibility of a rackmounted LCD panel with the convenience of a keyboard drawer in a single unit. While many of these drawers occupy 2U of rack space, there are new dual slide drawers in a compact 1U size.

Video resolution

If you require a high definition display, you may opt for a rackmount LCD monitor that supports DVI-D/HDMI. Most of the HDMI applications are designed for video resolutions of 1920×1080 (1080p). There are also those DVI that support video resolutions up to 1920×1200. However, VGA port is also common especially for older computers and you may need it too. Thus, a system which supports HDMI, VGA, and DVI would be a good choice.

Touchscreen integration

A touchscreen feature is a must for a lot of applications. It provides ease of access for the user without the need for other peripherals such as keyboard and mouse. However, there are two ways to address touchscreens. An actual touchscreen-capable monitors and the other one is the ability to integrate with touchscreen-enabled devices. Both of these provide unique sets of challenges.

Indeed, there are some factors to take into account when selecting a rackmount LCD monitor. Considering those above-mentioned points will help you end up with a device that best suits your application and one that you can use to its full potential. At iTech Company, we offer a wide range of options of these devices. While our products are equipped with various features for more flexibility and functionality, these are also made of high-grade components for reliable performance and durability.